Groin

Inner thigh muscles

Your groin muscles, also called adductors, run along the inside of your thigh. They pull your legs together.

What they do in sports

They work hard in sports with quick changes of direction, twisting, and skating, like soccer, hockey, and football.

Common in soccer and hockey

Groin injuries are common in hockey, soccer, and football. They often happen during sudden changes of direction, twisting, or stretching your leg out to reach a ball.

Not every groin pain is a muscle

In growing kids, pain in the groin, thigh, or knee with a limp, and no clear injury, can be a hip problem. It should be checked by a doctor.

Myth or fact?

• Hockey players skate with a side push-off that works their groin muscles hard. Fact. The skating push-off swings the leg out to the side, and groin strains are common in hockey. That's why hockey players need strong groin muscles.

Side-lying leg lifts

Lie on your side with both legs straight. Bend your top leg and cross it over in front, then lift your bottom leg 6 to 8 inches off the floor. Hold for 5 seconds and lower slowly.

This works your inner thigh muscles. A coach or athletic trainer can check your form.

Easy ones to start

Reverse clamshells also work your inner thighs: lie on your side with your knees bent and together, then lift your top foot toward the ceiling and lower it slowly.

Myth or fact?

• Skipping your warm-up raises your chance of a groin strain. Fact. Not warming up properly is a risk factor for hip and groin strains. Moving warm-ups like side shuffles get you ready for quick cuts.

Stop and tell someone

If your inner thigh hurts when you kick, cut, or squeeze your legs together, stop and tell your coach or a parent.

Myth or fact?

• A groin strain is fine to play through as long as you only kick with your other leg. Myth. An injured muscle is easy to hurt again, and you use your groin for cutting and twisting, not just kicking. Rest it, then come back step by step.